Behavioral Health
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that one in five adults in America live with a mental illness. According to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, nearly 1 million Missouri residents suffer mental illness. One-fourth of those are characterized as “serious mental disorders,” defined as “a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder with functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits major life activities.” Rates of behavioral health disorders are similar in surrounding states.
Disorders, impairments, and legal incapacity present challenges to caregivers and medical providers. State laws provide opportunities to help behavioral health patients with decision-making and functional support. Often this involves hearings before probate courts. Our attorneys assist family members and health care providers in arranging admissions and surrogate decision makers, often to facilitate urgent care, continued therapy, or long-term placement.
Legal interventions for addressing mental illness, substance abuse, and behavioral health can include:
- Civil Detention for Evaluation
- Civil Involuntary Detention for Treatment
- Emergency Inpatient Judicial Admission
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Guardianship
- Conservatorship
The Missouri Department of Mental Health provides a reference guide for Civil Involuntary Detention.
The Missouri Division of Senior and Disability Services provides a Policy Manual for Adult Protective Services.
The Illinois Department of Human Services provides a Petition for Involuntary Admission.